Change

From the moment we are born, until death, we are subject to change. So subtle, so minute at times, it’s hardly discernible. Not only do we change but things around us, in every area of life are changing. Environment, businesses, habits, morals, beliefs, attitudes, almost everything is in a state of change.

No wonder youth has trouble coping. With few reliable role models, it’s hard. Changing marriage partners and attitudes toward marriage are taking its’ toll.

Many people want something done, but someone else to do it. "Let George do it", has been the attitude, but George did not do it. So it doesn’t get done.

One thing has not changed- for every good thing discovered and developed for mankind’s benefit, Satan has stepped in and adapted for evil that which is made for good. Witness radio, TV, web sites, Internet, on-line movies, etc., all are perverted for evil.

So many of today’s innovations have led to the "instant" or "now" generation. As a small boy, life was simple. All this came about during my lifetime. I’ve seen the development and subsequent changes.

I could write pages more of developments and changes and like writing these things at times. It is comforting to know that "we have an anchor that keeps our soul steadfast and firm while the billows roll" and "on Christ the solid ground I stand, all other ground is sinking sand".

I’m founded deep and firm on the "changeless one". Time changes things around us but we have an anchor, "He who changes not" and "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever." Assuring isn’t it?

Today many Christians don’t see homosexuality as a sin. If they kept the sinful practice in secret as before, instead of radically seeking approval and teaching it as an alternate lifestyle and trying to reach kids that way. Some think that was the Old Testament. God said, "It’s an abomination" in the Old Testament and He hasn’t changed His mind. It is an alternative but unacceptable lifestyle. Romans speaks against it. If everyone followed suit where would the next generations come from? And what about God’s command "Be fruitful and replenish the earth"?

The above change spells doom if not quenched. Maybe hasten His return?

This is only a portion of what I could write about changes, but it is comforting to know "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever". In spite of change all about us "We have an anchor that keeps the soul". "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand." "We have an anchor that changes not".

Many wealthy and influential men embrace secular humanism. Among them are Clinton, Ed Asner, Ted Turner and others who believe there is no God. You are your own judge. They are supportive of the group who believe in One World Government, no moral absolutes, etc. These are gaining ground and we need to be alert.

Abortion is a sin. So is homosexuality. It is condemned in the New as well as the Old Testament.

God has not changed His mind! Sin is still sin. To call sin by another name doesn’t change the fact. Calling the unborn some non-name doesn’t alter the fact it’s a "human being".

Homosexuality may be an alternative lifestyle, but never was, not will be, and acceptable one. Murder for convenience.

Having lived over 90 years it is fun to reminisce on how different our world is today and the changes that have occurred. Some changes have been beneficial, others, not. Many who are old enough to recall the simplicity of life in the early part of the 20^th century can fondly recall those days.

At first only trails, such as "Burlington" and "Chicasaw". Identifiable trails as such had disappeared as improved roads occurred. Wagon trains following the "Oregon Trail" helped open the west. Some early roads were only mud, often unnavigable. Some such roads became "corduroy" as saplings laid crossways made them possible. Rock and gravel made many roads.

Oil and "blacktop" improved many. Then came concrete "slab" or "hard road". Later asphalt improved that.

Horses were used for travel until the improved roads came. Invention of the car or automobile made travel easier and faster. Bicycles and motorcycles instead of being outmoded remain popular means of travel. Of course they, like autos, have improved in many ways. Oddly, the early bikes had wooden rims and no tubes. Tires were glued to the rims. My first, bought in 1926, had wooden rims. Then came the balloon types with inner tubes.

In the early 20’s some cars had carbide generated acetylene lights. The early cars had no anti-freeze. In cold weather you placed cardboard in front of the radiator and drained it on return unless you had means to guard against freeze. Knowing some about chemistry, I used a solution of calcium chloride, with a bit of sodium chromate to prevent corrosion. We usually drained radiators as cold weather set in. More than once unexpected freezes caught people unawares and radiators, even blocks, would freeze. Then ethyl alcohol was found suitable. Zerone became popular, but I think it was chiefly methanol. Glycerin and Prestone were found to be more suitable and could be used year round.

Candles for light since times memorial gave way to kerosene often called "coal oil". Then came calcium carbide generated acetylene. There appeared the "wonderful lamps of Aladdin". Thanks to Edison, electric lamps became the standard. Of course, most farmers and ruralists had to wait on the REA for electricity. However, wind power generators brought light and power to some before then. Usually they charged a series of batteries, which then supplied electricity. Electricity has made developments in every field possible, as also have electronic and atomic developments.

The atom, I was taught, was the smallest divisible portion of matter. Molecules are comprised of atoms. It was believed even atoms could be broken up. On the basis of that theory, scientists found it was true and learned how to do it. The process unleashes lots of energy. This led to the development of the atomic and hydrogen bombs. It became evident from scientific studies that all matter is actually bundles of electricity. We have found neutrons, protons, electrons and what else. An article in 1927 Science and Invention said, "If all the energy locked up in a spoonful of gasoline could be used, it could drive an ocean liner across the ocean and back"! Isn’t science wonderful!

During World War I there was "wireless", forerunner of radio. It sent only Morse code and used earphones. Then loud speakers were invented. It is interesting to note early speakers were very big and began to change all that. Vacuum tubes were replaced by more efficient parts. Transistors, transducers, etc. Helped to make things smaller and have more power. This trend is in kindred areas such as the computer and related areas.

Communication has progressed from the pigeon and Pony Express to telegraph and telephone, as well as radio and TV, not to mention the Internet. While radio experimenting, I built a tube set on which I could pick up Europe. Cell telephones span long distances now without wires. Now digital TV is coming along and "digital" affecting many things, such as cameras. Better quality.